'Malays Unite' slogan a reminder, say analysts
Published on: Tuesday, November 25, 2014
'Malays Unite', the slogan picked for the 2014 Umno General Assembly is apt to remind and urge the Malays to rise as one to face the increasingly challenging current political scenario.Political analysts are of the opinion the slogan will open the eyes of party members and the Malays that unity is the only action which can save and retain its wholeness as the oldest party in the country.Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Dean of the Faculty of Law, Government and International Studies, Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Marthada Mohamed said Umno had a big influence and had sowed good deeds among the Malays.
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"As such, 'Malays Unite' is apt seeing the situation of the Malays who are becoming increasingly divided...who are on the verge of disintegration," he said."The slogan must be clearly seen as a reminder and possibly, a warning that if the Malays refuse to unite, the political power of the Malays will disappear," he told Bernama in an interview.Ahmad Marthada said worries and issues which would arise if the Malays lost their political power, would include the fate of the have-nots."Who else will champion the Malays if not the Malay community itself?
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"Sometimes, people don't give attention to slogan, whilst it has an implicit meaning and this time, the Malays must understand as best as possible the slogan, and delegates at the 2014 Umno General Assembly must discuss this aspect openly in the interest of the Malay race," he said.Shah Alam's Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Communication and Media Studies Faculty lecturer, Associate Professor Dr Ismail Sualman said Umno must be introspective that unity was not only in the party interest but to guarantee a better future for the Malay race.
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"The only political party which is proven capable of bringing transformation, (and) having a good flow, is Umno, so Umno must continue raising the soul via unity.Meanwhile, Umno Executive Secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh said Umno had gone through numerous pains to develop the party and it stood firm due to unityfostered when the party was set up 68 years ago. He said the term, 'unite' was important to continue reminding the Malays not to waste the sacrifice of past Umno leaders."So, in line with the slogan and theme of the 2014 Umno General Assembly, we will see on all banners and posters, the title, 'Malays Unite'," he added.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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